Many layers of red tape can stand between a brewer and his dream.
Maybe you tried one of those home brew kits and made your own beer with a kettle and some tubing. Your friends all raved about it, and an obsession was born. Soon you're bottling a case or two every month, experimenting with different formulations, and your friends (and their friends) can't get enough.
Now you're thinking about turning your hobby into a business: starting a microbrewery to share your recipes with a wider audience. It's an impressive dream, but how possible is it to make that dream a reality?
Federal, state and local governments all have regulations about opening and running a microbrewery. A federal permit must be obtained from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, which takes over 4 months to process. The approval process includes background checks, examination of your equipment, building and grounds, and analysis of your business plan, including the amount of beer you plan to produce and your funding sources for equipment and startup costs.
State regulations vary; so be sure to do your research. According to the Boston Globe, many states are loosening their restrictions on microbreweries as the industry grows and changes. Local regulations are as different as the cities and towns themselves, but contacting the city in which you plan to operate should get you started on the process.
With the right help, opening a microbrewery is a reachable goal.